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M7 Priest
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M7 Priest
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The 105 mm howitzer motor carriage M7 was an American self-propelled artillery vehicle produced during World War II. It was given the service name 105 mm self propelled, Priest by the British Army, due to the pulpit-like machine gun ring, and following on from the Bishop and the contemporary Deacon self-propelled guns.

Key Information

Design and development

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During the early stages of World War II, US Army observers realized that they would need a self-propelled artillery vehicle with sufficient firepower to support armored operations. Lessons learned with half-tracks (such as the T19 howitzer motor carriage (HMC) with a 105 mm howitzer on the M3 half-track chassis) also showed that this vehicle would have to be armored and fully tracked. It was decided to use the M3 Lee chassis as the basis for this new vehicle design, named T32.[6] The pilot vehicles used the M3 chassis with an open-topped superstructure, mounting an M2A1 105 mm howitzer, with a machine-gun added after trials.

The T32 was accepted for service as the M7 in February 1942 and production began that April. The British Tank Mission had requested 2,500 to be delivered by the end of 1942 and a further 3,000 by the end of 1943, an order which was never fully completed.[7][8]

As the M4 Sherman tank replaced the M3, it was decided to continue production using the M4 chassis (the M4 chassis was a development of the M3). The M7 was subsequently supplanted by the M37 105 mm howitzer motor carriage (on the "light combat team" chassis that also gave the M24 Chaffee light tank).[8]

Operational history

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A total of 3,489 M7s and 826 M7B1s were built. They proved to be reliable weapons, continuing to see front-line service in the US and other armies well past the end of World War II.[4][9]

North Africa

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During the North African campaign, 90 M7s were received by the British Eighth Army in North Africa, which was also the first to use it, during the Second Battle of El Alamein, alongside the Bishop, a self-propelled gun based on the 87.6 mm calibre Ordnance QF 25-pounder gun-howitzer.[10]

The British Commonwealth armies had logistical problems in supplying the M7, as it used US ammunition that was not compatible with standard British artillery pieces or tank guns, and had to be supplied separately.[10] Whereas the Sexton – a rival self-propelled gun developed in Canada - featured the standard British QF 25-pounder (on an M3 or M4 chassis).[6]

Despite supply problems, British Commonwealth forces used the M7 throughout the campaigns in North Africa and Italy.

Northwest Europe

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During the invasion of Normandy, from June 1944, the artillery regiments of the British 3rd and 50th divisions, and the Canadian 3rd Division were equipped with the M7; however, these were replaced by towed 25-pounder guns in early August.[11]

M7 Priest passes by a Humber scout car as it moves into position to support an attack on Caen, 8 July 1944.

During the Battle of the Bulge, each US armored division had three battalions of M7s, giving them unparalleled mobile artillery support.[12]

Pacific War

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The M7 was also used by US and British forces in Pacific and Asian theaters.

During the Burma campaign, the Priest played a significant role, in particular, at the Battle of Meiktila and the advance on Rangoon (1945).

From early 1944 it was used in the South West Pacific theater, by the US Sixth Army in the later stages of the campaign in New Guinea and surrounding islands. The M7 also saw action in the Philippines campaign, with the US Eighth and Sixth armies.

After World War II

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Korean War
M7 Priests remained in use during the Korean War, where their flexibility, compared to towed artillery units, led the US Army on the path to converting fully to self-propelled howitzers.[13] The limited gun elevation of the M7 (35 degrees) hampered its ability to shoot over the tall Korean mountains, so 127 M7B1s were modified to permit the full 65 degrees elevation in a model known as the M7B2. After the Korean War, many of these were exported to NATO countries, notably Italy and Germany.[14]

Israel
Israel acquired a number of M7 Priests during the 1960s and employed them in the Six-Day War, the War of Attrition and the Yom Kippur War where three M7 units, the 822nd, 827th and 829th Battalions in the IDF Northern Command, supported operations in the Golan Heights.[15]

West Germany
The new West German Bundeswehr received 127 Priests as its first self-propelled artillery vehicle. They entered service in 1956 and were used until the early 1960s.

Surviving vehicles

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Australia

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  • Australian Armour and Artillery Museum, in Cairns, in a World War II US Army paint scheme.

Austria

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  • An M7 which was used in the Austrian Bundesheer (Army) after World War II is in the private Robert Gill Collection in Austria.[16]
Austrian Bundesheer SPG M7 Priest at the Heeresgeschichtliches Museum in Vienna, Austria.
Austrian Bundesheer M7 Priest at the Heeresgeschichtliches Museum in Vienna, Austria.

Belgium

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  • M7 at the Tank Museum Brussels (Belgium)

Germany

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Israel

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  • Unrestored hulk in kibbutz Kineret, Israel.

Philippines

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United States of America

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Variants

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M7 at the Tank Museum Brussels (Belgium)
M7
The first M7s produced were based on modified M3 Lee medium tank chassis. To maintain a low silhouette, the howitzer elevation had to be restricted to 35°. In May 1942, after only a month of production, the vehicle was altered to increase its ammunition stowage from 57 to 69 rounds. This was achieved by placing seven rounds on the left wall and five on the right.[4] The M7 also went through a fairly rapid shift from being based on the M3, to having more commonality with the M4 Sherman. The first major example was an adoption of the M4's three-piece housing, single-piece casting and suspension. In British service, some M7s carried a radio set, which took the place of 24 rounds of ammunition.[9]
M7B1
Completing the shift, the M7B1 was fully based on the M4A3 Sherman chassis. 826 M7B1 were produced from March 1944 to February 1945.[4]
M7B2
During the Korean War, the limited elevation of the howitzer became noticeably problematic. 127 M7B1 were modified to permit an elevation of 65° to increase the effective range of the howitzer. The machine gun mount also had to be raised to give a 360° firing arc.[4]
Howitzer motor carriage M7 in Korea (1951)
"Defrocked Priest"
As one part of the Allied effort to capture Falaise and break out from the Normandy beachhead, 72 M7s had their main guns removed in the field for service as armoured personnel carriers and were first used in Operation Totalize. These field modified vehicles were referred to as "Defrocked Priests", "Unfrocked Priests" or as "Holy Rollers". The work was done in one week by 250 personnel from 14 British and Canadian Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineer units.[18] 36 vehicles each were allocated to the 4th Infantry Brigade of the 2nd Canadian Division and the 154th (Highland) Brigade of the 51st (Highland) Division, which led the attack.[19]
Kangaroo
A Canadian armored personnel carrier conversion of the M7 for use by British and Commonwealth units in northern Europe.[20] The Kangaroo could carry 20 infantry plus a crew of two. A total of 102 were converted between October 1944 and April 1945. The name "Kangaroo" became generic for all conversions of armored fighting vehicles into personnel carriers, including Ram tank conversions.[9]
25pdr howitzer motor carriage T51
M7 fitted with 25 pounder gun in July 1942.[21]

British SPG naming scheme

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A British self-propelled gun armed with the Ordnance QF 25-pounder in design from 1941 was nicknamed Bishop as its appearance was said to resemble a bishop's mitre and a replacement, the US 105 mm howitzer motor carriage M7, was called "Priest", as part of its superstructure was said to resemble a pulpit. Following this line of names, a 1942 self-propelled gun armed with the QF 6 pounder was named Deacon and a 1943 weapon carrier with the QF 25-pounder was called Sexton.

See also

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Notes

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

M7 Priest

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The M7 Priest, officially designated as the 105 mm Motor Carriage M7, was an American vehicle developed during to provide mobile for armored units, featuring an open-top superstructure mounting a 105 mm M2A1 on the of the M3 . Initiated in October 1941 under the direction of Major General , the M7's development addressed the need for that could keep pace with fast-moving tank formations, with the first prototype (T32) completed by and production standardized in April 1942 at American Locomotive Works. The vehicle earned its nickname "Priest" from British forces due to the pulpit-like ring mount for its .50 caliber M2 machine gun, which resembled a church , and it was first deployed in combat by the U.S. Army during in in November 1942. Weighing approximately 22 tons, the M7 measured 6.02 meters in length, 2.87 meters in width, and 2.95 meters in height, with a crew of seven operating its Continental R-975 C1 radial engine that delivered up to 400 horsepower, enabling a top speed of 39 km/h on roads and a range of 193 km. The M7's primary armament, the 105 mm howitzer, had a maximum range of 11,270 meters and could carry 69 rounds, supplemented by a .50 caliber anti-aircraft with 300 rounds, while its armor ranged from 12.7 mm on the sides to 51 mm on the front hull for basic protection against shrapnel. In service, it proved invaluable for support, with armored divisions reorganizing in March 1944 to include three battalions equipped with a total of 54 M7s, totaling over 3,490 units produced during the war. British and Canadian forces also employed the Priest extensively, including at the in 1942 and on D-Day in 1944, where 96 units supported the . Variants included the M7B1, introduced in 1944 on the chassis with a more powerful 450 hp and improved fuel capacity for a speed of 42 km/h, of which 826 were built, and the M7B2 for the with enhanced elevation. Post-war, many M7s were converted into armored personnel carriers known as "Defrocked Priests" or "" by removing the and adding troop space, with 72 such conversions performed in August 1944 for operations in . The Priest's legacy endured into the 1950s, serving in conflicts like the before being phased out, with surviving examples preserved in museums today.

Development

Design Origins

The development of the M7 was initiated in 1941 under Major General , the first chief of the Armored Force. The U.S. Army's requirement for mobile emerged prominently during the 1941 Tennessee Maneuvers, where towed guns proved inadequate for supporting fast-moving armored units in fluid combat scenarios. This need was further underscored by early experiences in during in late 1942, highlighting the vulnerabilities of horse-drawn and towed artillery against rapid German advances. In response, Brigadier General proposed on October 1, 1941, the development of a mounting a for close to armored divisions. The design adapted the chassis of the medium tank, removing the turret to create an open-top for the M2A1 105mm , enabling high-angle fire while maintaining tank-like mobility. Key engineering features included a 6.3-foot-high open-top providing partial from overhead threats, storage for 28 rounds of in the initial configuration, and a distinctive "pulpit" ring mount atop the for a .50 to enhance observation and antiaircraft defense. These elements prioritized rapid deployment and firepower over full enclosure, drawing from the M3's proven Continental R-975 C1 and for cross-country performance. Development proceeded swiftly with two prototypes designated T32, constructed by and delivered for testing in early 1942. Initial trials at in February 1942 revealed challenges in balancing the howitzer's firepower with the vehicle's mobility and inherent vulnerabilities, such as the open-top design's exposure to shrapnel and weather, as well as limited traverse of 35 degrees right and 15 degrees left. Modifications, including reinforced armor plating and traverse adjustments, addressed these issues, leading to Armored Force Board approval in February 1942 and standardization as the M7 in April 1942.

Production History

Production of the M7 Priest, officially designated the 105 mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M7, began in April 1942 following its standardization earlier that month. The initial batches were manufactured by the American Locomotive Works on the medium tank chassis, with output reaching 2,028 units in 1942, 786 in 1943, and 500 in 1944, for a total of 3,313 M7s before production shifted. This transition to the more readily available chassis in 1944 aimed to streamline manufacturing by leveraging established assembly lines and reducing material costs associated with the earlier M3-based design. In 1944, the Pressed Steel Car Company began production of the improved M7B1 variant, which incorporated the Ford GAA V8 engine producing 500 horsepower, replacing the Continental R-975 C1 radial engine's 340 horsepower output in earlier models. This change enhanced reliability and aligned the M7B1 with standard U.S. tank supply chains for parts and maintenance, facilitating easier logistical support in the field. The Pressed Steel Car Company delivered 826 M7B1 units from March 1944 to February 1945, while Federal Machine and Welder produced 176 additional M7s during the same period. Overall, approximately 4,300 M7 Priests and variants were produced through March 1945. The M7 series integrated seamlessly into U.S. Army logistics, sharing components like suspension and tracks with M3 and M4 tanks, which simplified spare parts distribution and field repairs across armored divisions. Ammunition storage was standardized at 69 rounds onboard, supplemented by M8 or M10 trailers carrying 42 rounds each, ensuring consistent supply compatibility. Following World War II, surplus M7 Priests were distributed to Allied nations under programs like the Mutual Defense Assistance Program (MDAP), with examples supplied to Britain and France for continued service into the early Cold War era. These vehicles saw use in conflicts such as the Korean War before being phased out in the mid-1950s, replaced by more modern self-propelled artillery like the M52.

Technical Specifications

Armament and Firepower

The primary armament of the M7 Priest was the 105 mm Howitzer M2A1 mounted on an M4 carriage, which provided support for armored and units. This weapon utilized a panoramic for indirect aiming and an elbow for direct fire observation, enabling effective engagement in both roles. The howitzer achieved a maximum range of 10,675 meters (approximately 11,680 yards or 6.6 miles) and a sustained of four rounds per minute, making it suitable for rapid barrages during mobile operations. Ammunition for the M2A1 howitzer included the standard M1 high-explosive shell, weighing 33 pounds for the projectile, along with high-explosive anti-tank (M67), smoke (M84 or M60 series), and chemical variants compatible with the towed M2A1 counterpart. The M7 carried up to 69 rounds internally, an increase from the initial 28 rounds in early production models, with additional ammunition transported via towed trailers for extended engagements. For secondary armament, the M7 featured a single .50 caliber (12.7 ) M2 heavy-barreled mounted on a atop the for anti-aircraft and local defense, supplied with 300 rounds of . Fire control was manual, operated by a dedicated gun crew within the seven-man total complement, including the gunner and assistant gunner for aiming. The offered an elevation range of -5° to +35° and a traverse of 15° left and 30° right, allowing limited adjustments without repositioning the vehicle, though this was constrained compared to fully turreted systems. In terms of firepower, the M7 Priest delivered comparable destructive power to towed 105 mm guns but excelled in rapid deployment and repositioning due to its self-propelled design; however, the open-top superstructure exposed the crew to and weather, potentially limiting sustained operations in contested environments.

Protection, Mobility, and Crew

The M7 Priest featured limited armor protection designed primarily to shield against small-arms fire, shell fragments, and low-velocity impacts, rather than heavy anti-tank threats. The casemate's upper front and sides were constructed from 0.5-inch (13 mm) rolled homogeneous steel plates, while the lower hull front varied from 2 to 4.5 inches (51 to 114 mm) in thickness for enhanced deflection against glancing hits. Lower side armor measured 1.5 inches (38 mm), with the rear upper at 0.5 inches and lower at 1 inch (25 mm). The vehicle's open-topped design, lacking a turret roof, exposed the crew to shrapnel, mortar fire, and aerial bombardment, though a canvas tarpaulin or later optional folding armor panels provided minimal overhead cover against weather and light fragments. Propulsion for the standard M7 was supplied by a Continental R-975-C1 nine-cylinder air-cooled radial engine rated at 340 horsepower at 2,400 rpm. Later production M7 models incorporated the improved R-975-C4 variant delivering 400 horsepower, while the M7B1 upgrade substituted a Ford GAA eight-cylinder V-8 engine producing 450 to 500 horsepower for better reliability and power. These engines enabled a maximum road speed of 25 (40 km/h) for the M7 and slightly higher at 26 mph (42 km/h) for the M7B1, with off-road performance typically limited to 15-20 mph (24-32 km/h) due to the vehicle's weight and terrain demands. The M7 Priest utilized a system (VVSS) derived from the and tanks, consisting of five dual road wheels per side on three bogies for smooth traversal over rough ground. This setup, combined with 16-inch (406 mm) wide T49 steel tracks featuring rubber chevrons, yielded a ground pressure of 10.4 pounds per (0.73 kg/cm²), facilitating better flotation in soft soil than heavier contemporaries. The vehicle could ford streams up to 4 feet (1.2 m) deep without specialized preparation, enhancing its operational flexibility in diverse environments. Overall dimensions included a length of 19 feet 9 inches (6.02 m), width of 9 feet 5 inches (2.87 m) with sand shields, and height of 9 feet 8 inches (2.95 m) to the top of the anti-aircraft mount, resulting in a combat weight of 50,634 pounds (23 tons). The crew comprised seven personnel: a driver positioned in the front left hull, a section chief (commander) overseeing operations from behind the gunner, a gunner aligned left of the , and four cannoneers handling loading, elevation adjustments, and auxiliary tasks within the cramped . Basic accommodations included foldable seats, ready-use racks integrated into the walls, and minimal personal storage, prioritizing functionality over comfort in the open-top fighting compartment. Fire direction and coordination were supported by the SCR-508 FM radio set, which allowed reception of battalion-level commands for precise support.

Operational History

North African and Mediterranean Campaigns

The M7 Priest made its combat debut with British forces during the Second in October 1942, where 90 examples supplied via equipped units of the British Eighth Army, providing crucial indirect fire support against Axis positions in the desert. The vehicle's open-topped design and pulpit-like .50 caliber machine gun mount earned it the nickname "Priest" from British crews, who appreciated its mobility and firepower in the fluid desert warfare of the campaign, including subsequent advances into . In total, Britain received 832 M7s under , with early models proving effective in counter-battery roles and close infantry support during the Eighth Army's push to victory at and the final Axis surrender in by May 1943. American forces introduced the M7 during in November 1942, with the 1st Armored Division's artillery battalions deploying the vehicle for the Allied landings in and , marking the U.S. Army's initial entry into the North African theater. The M7 saw its first U.S. combat during in November 1942, with the 1st Armored Division's artillery battalions deploying the vehicle. It participated in the , including the in February 1943, providing support to blunt Axis advances. Throughout the , M7s operated in self-propelled battalions, emphasizing rapid repositioning to deliver 105mm barrages in support of armored and maneuvers across the harsh terrain. The M7's role extended into the Mediterranean with the in July 1943, where U.S. and British units used the vehicle to provide mobile cover during amphibious assaults and inland advances against German-Italian defenses. In the Italian campaign from 1943 to 1944, Priests supported key operations, including massed barrages at the beachhead in January 1944 to counter German counterattacks and during the grueling battles for , where concentrated fire from M7-equipped regiments helped erode fortified positions along the Gustav Line. Tactically, the M7 excelled in close support for infantry advances and against enemy , its tracked mobility allowing it to keep pace with fast-moving Allied forces in the rugged Italian landscape. However, the Priest's open superstructure exposed crews and ammunition to vulnerabilities, particularly from strafing attacks in , where low-flying German aircraft inflicted significant casualties on exposed vehicles during the early campaign phases. These experiences highlighted the need for enhanced antiaircraft protection, leading to reinforcements of the standard .50 caliber mounting and procedural adaptations to mitigate air threats, though overall losses in exceeded 100 vehicles due to combined air, , and ground actions.

Western European Campaign

The M7 Priest played a crucial role in the Allied invasion of , providing mobile support during the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944. Although the 4th Armored Division's Priests arrived in mid-July, earlier units such as the 65th Armored Battalion fired from Landing Craft Tanks (LCTs) off , delivering indirect fire to suppress German defenses and support the 4th Infantry Division's assault. These batteries expended hundreds of rounds per gun in initial barrages, contributing to the overall effort that neutralized key positions and facilitated the beachhead establishment. In the subsequent Normandy campaign, M7 Priests proved invaluable in the bocage hedgerows, where their mobility allowed rapid repositioning to deliver close amid the dense, compartmentalized terrain that hindered traditional towed . Attached to armored and divisions, they fired high-explosive 105 mm shells to break German strongpoints and support advances during operations like in late July 1944. By August, during the battles, Canadian forces innovatively converted 72 M7s into "Kangaroo" armored personnel carriers by removing the howitzers and adding protective plating, enabling to advance under fire in and help seal the pocket, trapping tens of thousands of German troops. The British integrated M7 Priests into several field artillery regiments for the push, employing them in operations like Goodwood in July 1944 to provide massed fire for armored breakthroughs east of . Seven British regiments were temporarily equipped with these vehicles, totaling around 168 guns, before transitioning to the Sexton self-propelled gun later in the campaign; they also supported airborne elements during in September 1944. In theater adaptations included adding canvas covers over the open-top crew compartment for protection against rain and shrapnel, as well as modifying some for command roles by installing radios and reducing ammunition stowage to 45 rounds. During the in December 1944, M7 Priests attached to First Army divisions delivered critical artillery support against the German offensive, with each U.S. armored division fielding three battalions of 54 vehicles each for rapid, mobile fire in the harsh winter conditions. Their tracked design and 26 mph road speed enabled quick deployment to counterattacks, though the campaign saw significant losses—105 M7s destroyed, representing 42% of total European theater attrition. Drawing on earlier North African experiences with desert mobility, crews emphasized decentralized firing positions to avoid . As the Western Front advanced into 1945, M7 Priests supported the crossings in March, using direct and to suppress defenses during Operations Plunder and Varsity, and contributed to the encirclement of the in April. Their reliability shone in muddy and cold conditions, with the M7B1 variant's improved providing better cross-country performance (15 mph off-road) and endurance, allowing sustained operations without major breakdowns despite the open-top exposure.

Pacific Theater

The M7 Priest was deployed in the Pacific Theater primarily from early 1944 onward, supporting U.S. Army infantry divisions and U.S. Marine Corps units in amphibious island-hopping operations against Japanese forces. Initial combat employment occurred during the campaign, with two M7s from the Cannon Company of the 106th Infantry , 27th Infantry Division, providing support at Engebi on Eniwetok Atoll on February 18, 1944; these vehicles destroyed several Japanese pillboxes using 80 rounds of high-explosive before repositioning due to vulnerability from enemy small-arms fire. By mid-1944, under 7-14S, each U.S. Army infantry 's cannon included two M7s, while Marine divisions allocated four per for a total of 12 per division; overall, around 200 M7s served in the theater, a fraction of the thousands used in , emphasizing their role in mobile rather than massed divisional support. In key actions, M7s proved vital for close infantry support and fortification reduction. On Saipan in June 1944, vehicles from the 165th Infantry Regiment, 27th Division, fired point-blank at Japanese pillboxes to enable advances, highlighting the Priest's utility in direct-fire roles despite its design for . During the Peleliu operation in September 1944, the integrated M7s into assault waves for anti-bunker fire and naval gunfire spotting, employing white phosphorus (WP) smoke rounds to mark targets amid the island's rugged terrain and networks. On Luzon in January 1945, M7s of the 25th Division engaged and destroyed elements of the Japanese 2nd Tank Division near Plaridel using direct fire, while in April-May 1945 on Okinawa, the 77th Division and 6th Marine Division used Priests to assault caves with high-explosive rounds, often in "" tactics to evade . Operational challenges in the Pacific included the demands of amphibious landings, where M7s required extensive kits to ford shallow reefs and survive saltwater immersion during unloading from ; failures led to engine damage in early operations like Eniwetok. and volcanic terrain, such as the narrow Villa Verde Trail on or Catmon Hill on , restricted mobility and forced low-angle firing, while the open-top turret exposed crews to mortars, snipers, and shrapnel, prompting additions like covers. Losses occurred to Japanese counter-battery and mines, with the 96th Division reporting several vehicles disabled during Okinawa's mud and rain. Overall, the M7 demonstrated high effectiveness in delivering accurate close support and bunker-busting fire, outperforming towed howitzers in mobility across swamps and mountains, though its numbers and vulnerabilities limited strategic impact compared to naval and air bombardment.

Post-World War II Conflicts

Following , the M7 Priest continued to serve in several conflicts, leveraging its proven mobility for artillery support in diverse theaters. In the (1950–1953), U.S. forces deployed the M7 starting in spring 1951, with units such as the 213th, 300th, 987th, and 176th Armored Battalions providing close . These battalions landed via Inchon in April 1951 and supported operations near the Pusan Perimeter, including the defense at Kapyong where the 213th fired its first rounds on 22 April against Chinese forces. The 300th Battalion, attached to the U.S. 7th Infantry Division's sector supporting the 7th ROK Division near Hwacheon , proved particularly effective in the mountainous terrain after field modifications raised the elevation from 35 to 65 degrees on M7B2 variants, enabling high-angle fire; over 805 days, it expended 514,036 rounds. Despite vulnerabilities from the open-top design and limited traverse, the M7's flexibility addressed early shortages in , with several battalions sustaining operations through the . The M7 also entered service with the Israeli Defense Forces in the early 1960s, when two battalions were acquired as surplus from and upgraded with French and a modified 105 mm gun capable of firing improved ammunition. These vehicles supported armored advances during the (1967), providing rapid in the Sinai and , and continued in the (1967–1970) and (1973), where three M7-equipped units operated under the 402nd Artillery Brigade. The upgrades enhanced accuracy and range, but the aging design was phased out by the late 1970s in favor of more modern systems like the M109. In Yugoslavia, the M7 saw post-liberation use by partisan forces in 1945, with 19 supplied units integrated into the 1st Tank Brigade of the NOVJ for the final offensives, including the capture of Ilirska Bistrica. After the war, the formed an independent artillery brigade with these vehicles, later adding 56 M7B1s via U.S. Military Defense Assistance Program aid between 1951 and 1958; they supported maneuvers during the Trieste Crisis (1952–1953) and remained in mechanized units through the , appearing in parades until 1963. Some M7s stayed operational into the 1990s before full retirement by 1997. By the mid-1950s, the U.S. Army phased out the M7, replacing it with the turreted M52 (105 mm) and M44 (155 mm) self-propelled howitzers for greater protection and versatility. Most surviving post-war M7s were scrapped due to obsolescence and maintenance costs, though the vehicle's emphasis on mobility and integration with armored units influenced subsequent designs like the M109 series.

Variants and Derivatives

U.S. Variants

The primary U.S. variant of the M7 Priest was the M7B1, developed in to address limitations in the original model's and engine while enhancing overall reliability and logistical compatibility with the tank series. This upgrade shifted the design from the medium tank and its Continental R-975 to the more robust M4A3 Sherman equipped with the Ford GAA V8 gasoline engine, producing 450 horsepower for improved and a top speed of approximately 26 mph (42 km/h) on roads. Key structural modifications included revised vision ports for better crew protection and visibility, particularly for the driver and loader, as well as hinged side armor plates that could fold upward to facilitate handling. These changes also aligned the M7B1's tracks and suspension components with standard M4 parts, simplifying maintenance and supply chains across U.S. armored units. Production of the M7B1 totaled 826 units, manufactured by the Pressed Steel Car Company from March 1944 to February 1945. Following , the U.S. Army introduced the M7B2 as a further refinement of the M7B1, specifically tailored for the demands of the Korean War's rugged terrain and the need for elevated support. This variant incorporated the M7J1 gun mount, enabling the 105 mm M2A1 howitzer to achieve a maximum elevation of 65 degrees—compared to 35 degrees on earlier models—along with a reinforced and raised frontal armor shield to protect against during high-angle barrages. An enlarged pulpit for the .50 caliber M2 machine gun improved antiaircraft defense and crew coverage. No new production occurred; instead, 127 existing M7B1 vehicles were retrofitted to M7B2 standard starting in 1952. In 1944, the U.S. Army authorized conversions of surplus M7 Priests into the Priest Kangaroo armored personnel carrier to provide protected transport during amphibious and breakthrough operations in Northwest Europe. The modification involved removing the 105 mm , ammunition storage, and gun mount, then installing additional frontal armor plating over the open to shield up to 10 troops plus a crew of two, while retaining the original engine and mobility for cross-country performance. The initial 72 conversions were carried out by Canadian forces in July 1944 for , with additional units, including 102 M7 conversions in October 1944 for Italian operations, produced to support armored advances. Other experimental efforts explored alternative armaments on the M7 chassis but did not advance beyond prototypes due to shifting priorities toward dedicated designs like the . Standardization efforts emphasized the transition to M4-series components, ensuring the Priest family integrated seamlessly with the U.S. Army's growing Sherman-based fleet by late 1943.

British and Commonwealth Derivatives

The British nicknamed the M7 Priest due to the open-top and ring-mounted .50 position, which resembled a church pulpit or lectern. Under the program, Britain received a total of 832 M7 Priests, which entered service with the British Eighth Army in from late 1942 and later saw use across multiple theaters including and Northwest Europe. The British later developed the Sexton self-propelled gun, a 25-pounder-armed vehicle based on the Canadian chassis, as their standard piece to replace the 105 mm-armed Priest. Commonwealth forces adapted surplus M7 Priests into the "Defrocked Priest" or "Unfrocked Priest" armored personnel carrier by removing the and superstructure in mid-1944, creating space for up to 10 infantrymen; approximately 72 such conversions supported in during August 1944. These vehicles formed the basis for Priest-based APCs, with further conversions in from October 1944 onward—such as 56 units assigned to the 14/20th King's Hussars—that transported troops into close combat during advances like the Battle for Medicina in April 1945. Canadian units also employed variants, though their primary APC conversions drew from the Ram chassis; Priest-based examples supplemented these in European operations. The (OP) Priest was a command variant created by removing the 105 mm and installing additional radio sets, map tables, and communications gear in the ammunition storage area, enabling forward observation roles for coordination. Following , surviving British and Commonwealth M7 Priests remained in service for training purposes into the early 1950s before progressive replacement by newer like the M109.

Preserved Vehicles

In Museums and Collections

Approximately 21 complete M7 Priest vehicles, including variants such as the M7, M7B1, and M7B2, survive today, primarily sourced from U.S. and Allied post-war surpluses that were repurposed or stored after conflicts like the . These numbers reflect ongoing preservation efforts, though some records include partial hulks or wrecks, with complete examples concentrated in museums across , , and . Key restoration projects have focused on returning vehicles to operational or display-ready condition using available hulks and components. For instance, an M7B2 at the Heeresgeschichtliches Museum in Vienna, Austria, was restored to running condition by 2016, involving extensive mechanical work on its Wright R-975 engine and undercarriage. Similarly, a Dutch restoration of an M7B1 by BAIV B.V., completed in 2014 after two years of labor on a vehicle recovered from a German scrapyard in 2005, emphasized authentic WWII configurations including its 105 mm howitzer and Ford GAA engine, before its transfer to the Ontario Regiment Museum in Canada. These efforts often draw from Korean War-era remnants, adapting surplus parts to overcome scarcity. Preserved M7 Priests are typically displayed as static exhibits in military museums, highlighting their role in mobile support during . Operational examples occasionally feature in live-fire demonstrations and maneuver events, such as those at the Aquino Tank Weekend in , where restored vehicles simulate historical fire missions. Challenges in preservation stem from the limited availability of original components, with some vehicles dismantled for parts in other projects or left as range wrecks, necessitating careful sourcing and fabrication. Many restorations incorporate reproduction elements, particularly for exposed fittings like the .50 caliber mount, to maintain structural integrity without compromising historical accuracy. These vehicles contribute significantly to historical education, appearing in reenactments to demonstrate the tactical mobility of and its impact on operations. Through such programs, they provide hands-on insights into the Priest's design innovations, like its open-top superstructure for rapid reloading, fostering public understanding of wartime logistics and firepower.

Australia

One M7B1 Priest is preserved at the Australian Armour and Artillery Museum in Cairns, where it has been restored to fully operational condition and is occasionally used in demonstrations and events.

Austria

An M7B2 Priest is on display at the Heeresgeschichtliches Museum in , acquired by the Bundesheer in 1974 and maintained in running condition, though primarily exhibited statically.

Belgium

A M7 Priest from the is housed at the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History in , preserved as a static exhibit representing Allied support in .

Germany

One M7B2 Priest, originally supplied via post-war aid and used by the early , is displayed at the Deutsches Panzermuseum in , serving as a key example of Cold War-era in European service.

Israel

A partial hull of an M7 Priest, recovered as a relic from the 1956 Sinai War, is preserved at , the Armored Corps Memorial Site and Museum in , highlighting its limited post-war use by Israeli forces.

Philippines

An M7 Priest from the Pacific theater is on display at Relic's Point, in City, commemorating its role in the liberation campaigns against Japanese forces in 1945.

United States

Multiple M7 Priests survive in the , including a running example at the U.S. Armor and Cavalry Collection in Fort Moore, Georgia, which maintains it for training and heritage demonstrations; and additional vehicles at sites like the National Museum of the Marine Corps in .

Other Countries

In the , one preserved example was formerly displayed at the Firepower Royal Artillery Museum in ; its current location is unknown following the museum's closure in 2018 (as of 2025). In , a armored personnel carrier converted from a chassis (not M7 Priest) is exhibited at the Canadian War Museum in , representing modifications during the European campaign. Priest-based variants are preserved at other locations, such as the Regiment Museum.

References

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